News

We love this graphic though it is not a news flash or a profound statement but is simply how we live at Broad Bay.

Did you know that the church school picnic is on Sunday, June 12?

We are following the children and moving worship to the shores of the Medomak River. Details to follow. Save the date and plan to worship at 10 am outside at the Farnsworth Farm. Worship will be followed by a picnic sponsored by the Sunday School students and teachers. Hamburgers, hotdogs, and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring a side dish or dessert if you would like to contribute.

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Other News This Week

Sunday, May 15 at 4 pm

What will 5 octaves of handbells sound like in the Broad Bay Church? Come and find out on Sunday May 15 at 4 pm!

Photos of the Watershed Wanted

On Saturday, June 25, Josie and Sophie Davis, violins and 4 of their friends will perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Broad Bay while photos of the Medomak Valley Estuary are projected on the walls. Contact us if you have photos to submit.

Help Yourself Shelf

Donations continue to be needed. Thanks for recent donations of eggs, peanut butter and macaroni and cheese.

Thursday, April 24 at noon

Monthly Community Meal will be held at the Methodist Church. Please join us for a meal of soup and sandwiches.

Art and Scripture on Monday mornings at 10:30 am

Every Monday a group gathers to read and illuminate scripture. Art skills optional. There is time for laughter, sharing, prayer and reflection.

Book Group Meets Sundays around 11:30 in the sanctuary

Continuing the conversation about race, we are reading The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson about the migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities. All are welcome whether you've read the book or not. For more information contact Dorothy Petersen.

Other news this week

Seeking Plant Sale Leader/Co-Leaders— Carol Hakkila organized and tended the plant sale for many, many years. I stepped in for two and found it to be too much with my return to full-time work. I would be happy to “coach” a person or people in the steps they’d need to take for this year’s plant sale, which is traditionally held Memorial Day weekend (but could be later). There are growers ready to start plants, as well as dig plants come spring, if we can find a leader(s). And, the plant sale doesn’t have to be “like it was” — it could be as big or small as people want to make it. What is most important is that you have a strong interest in plants, are good at organizing and juggling, and can devote the necessary time in May. If interested, feel free to talk with me at church, call me, or e-mail me. -- Maryann Guernsey

Welcome: An Invitation

Each Monday, some of our members gather in a group that is loosely called “Scripture and Art” or “Art and Spirituality;” we read the scripture for the coming Sunday and use art, prayer and conversation to reflect on the reading. During Lent, you can join us from the comfort of your living room, kitchen, or bedside with these Lent Coloring Pages.

Adult coloring books are becoming widely used as a spiritual practice—a way to quiet the mind. This series of nine coloring pages create a path moving from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

Read the scripture referenced at the bottom each page; pull out some colored pencils, markers, or paint; reflect and pray (with or without words). Each drawing has a word related to the reading. You may discover your own word or phrase when you reflect on the reading. If so, write it down. Draw it into the picture. Add prayer concerns if you choose. This is your spiritual practice. Use it any way that feels right to you.

Lent 2016 Schedule:

Wednesday, February 10: Welcome. Mark 9: 30-37 (6-7 pm service of soup and ashes at the Methodist Church.)

On Sunday, February 14, we will again worship close together around tables in the fellowship hall. The soup will be on, bread will be shared, and the heat will be on. Carroll and Cathy will make music. Nancy Duncan will reflect on the words of Jesus as written in the gospel of Mark 10:17-31: eternal life, camels going through eyes of needles, but mostly the call to "Give."

As part of the service we will watch this video.

We will have time to dream about our ministry and our building as a platform for ministry. What would you love our ministry to be able to be/do? What should we fix/change about the building?

Hope to see you Sunday. But if you aren't here, we still want to know what you think. Let us know.

Other news this week

Annual Meeting Recap

Thank you to all who attended the Annual Meeting and Worship last Sunday. It was so good to see people sitting around tables, talking with one another, imagining Broad Bay bumper stickers and celebrating the presence of God in our midst. We celebrated Jesus' transfiguration where the disciples glimpsed the power of Jesus in new and stunning ways.

Rev. Peter Panagore, First Radio Parish, at Broad Bay

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6 pm potluck dinner and 7 pm presentation The Waldoboro Public Library, in cooperation with Broad Bay Congregational Church, welcomes Reverend Peter Baldwin Panagore, ordained minister and host of the "Daily Devotions" program. He will discuss his book, Heaven is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just The Beginning, about his near-death experience in 1980.

At 6:00 pm, the Outreach Committee of the Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ is hosting a potluck downstairs where folks will have a chance to meet one another and Rev. Peter Panagore, to be followed by a reading in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm. Books will be available for purchase at the event to have signed by Rev. Panagore. If you would like to attend the potluck, please email Nancy Duncan at waldoucc@midcoast.com to tell her what dish you will be bringing.

Service Auction call for donations

Do you have services you are willing to donated to Broad Bay's Annual Service Auction? Our annual event will be held on March 12. Let Alethe Donaldson know or email us at waldoucc@midcoast.com.

Lenten Adult Coloring Books Available

Adult Coloring Books are the "new" thing--a way to meditate.

On Sunday, we shared coloring books linked to our Lenten journey starting with Ash Wednesday (Feb 10) and ending with Easter. As I read the scripture and prepare the service, I pull out colored pencils, metallic markers and start to color. I've added prayer concerns, reflections, insights. I've felt my worry pass away. Is is for some a good spiritual practice. More information will be posted soon.

On Sunday, January 17 at 10 am, Jazz artists will collaborate with members of the Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ with a service of music and readings in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.Mike Whitehead, trumpet, Tom Luther, piano, Jason Dean, percussion, and Danji Buck-Moore, organ will play. Members of the Broad Bay Church have chosen a series of readings that reflect the commitment to justice and peace which was reflected in the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After each reading, the musicians will offer a musical response. The congregation will sing music that came out of the African American tradition. Broad Bay Church readers include Marcus Russano, Caroline Bond, Jim Gussen, Ralph Moore, Jeff Belcher and Ted Smith. Readings will include works of Martin Luther King Jr. as well as other voices of justice and peace.

In recognition that work that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King gave his life doing is far from complete, the Broad Bay Church offers this service as a place to remember and rededicate ourselves to the work of reconciliation and justice. Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 941 Main Street, Waldoboro and is an open and affirming congregation. “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” Rev. Nancy Duncan, Pastor. For more information, call 832-6898 or waldoucc@midcoast.com

Other News This Week

Annual Meeting Feb 7 10 am to 12 noon

As we celebrate the ministry of 2015 and look forward to 2016, we will gather to worship downstairs where we will be close together. We will worship and sing and plan and celebrate and share and feast on bread and cup. We will end with Broad Bay's traditional soup luncheon. There will be activities throughout the morning appropriate for the children.

Directory Update

Alethe Donaldson and Linda Brandt are working on compiling a new Broad Bay Church Directory. Those folk whose names appeared in the previous Directory, will be contacted to verify their information.

Sunday, January 10, 10 am, Worship

Jesus came for the sinners, not the righteous: April Reed-Cox, cello and Carroll Smith, Piano. Nancy Duncan, preaching. Church School for the children.

Adult Education

Book study resumes on Sunday January 17 and 24 to continue discussion on the Ten Commandments by Joan Chittister. Next book will be Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. See Dorothy Petersen for details.

Sunday, January 17, 10 am Worship

Jazz Service with readings in honor of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King: Jazz artists will collaborate with members of the Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ with a service of music and readings in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Mike Whitehead, trumpet, Tom Luther, piano, Jason Dean, percussion, and Danji Buck-Moore, organ will play. Members of the Broad Bay Church have chosen a series of readings that reflect the commitment to justice and peace which was reflected in the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After each reading, the musicians will offer a musical response. The congregation will sing music that came out of the African American tradition. Broad Bay Church readers include Marcus Russano, Caroline Bond, Jim Gussen, Ralph Moore, Jeff Belcher and Ted Smith. Readings will include works of Martin Luther King Jr. as well as other voices of justice and peace.

In recognition that work that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King gave his life doing is far from complete, the Broad Bay Church offers this service as a place to remember and rededicate ourselves to the work of reconciliation and justice.

On Christmas Eve we lit the “What Child is This?” windows, designed and created by the hands of the children of Broad Bay. Looking at the final installation, one of the leaders said, “God made those windows—not us.” This art is dedicated to the glory of God and embodies our belief that children are a vital part of the work & the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Broad Bay’s stained glass windows have stood for over 125 years. They are fragile, and two of the most vulnerable ones were removed for protection this fall, letting in the natural light for the first time in over a century. While some might have seen the window frame as a hole with something missing, our church school teachers and the children found an opportunity to make their own stained glass using clear vinyl and Sharpie markers.

As the church continues the work of building maintenance and dreams of future renovations, we wonder, “how can this building be used to bring more light and love, joy and hope into the Waldoboro community?” Presently we host meetings of several groups and have three concerts scheduled for 2016. We want to do more and welcome others into this beautiful and sacred space.

What would you like to see this building able to do or become? Email us, call us, leave a comment below, or stop us on the street with your ideas.

Other news this week

Sunday, November 22 10 am, Worship

Jazz, Thanksgiving, and Hope: Mike Whitehead, trumpet, Jason Dean, percussion, and Tom Luther, piano. We will bid a sad farewell to Joan Ebbeson who is moving away. The Madrigal group will sing. Rev. Nancy Duncan will preach a short homily, "new life emerging from the destruction and death."

Adult book discussion

With Dorothy Petersen: Sundays at 11:30. The Ten Commandments by Joan Chittister.

Stewardship

Broad Bay seeks your pledges for 2015 and will dedicate them as part of the worship service. As part of a recent letter on stewardship, Nancy Duncan wrote:

God is not confined to the church.

In the Bible, God shows up in the fields, at the mountain, in the bull rushes, at the well, on the road to Emmaus, at the cross and at the empty tomb.

Church is where we tell the story.

Church is where we share one another’s encounters with God. Church is where we question, worship, pray, laugh and cry.

Checks may be mailed to Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ, 941 Main Street, PO Box 161, Waldoboro, ME 04572

The Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ (Waldoboro) presented a check for $4219.47 to New Hope for Women which was raised at the recent Fierce and Fragile Women Concert. Pictured left to right: Rev. Nancy Duncan, Pastor of the Broad Bay Church, Claire Riser, Co-moderator of the Broad Bay Church, Susanna Norword-Burns, Advocate for New Hope for Women, Karen Lilli Pax, soprano, and Kristi Braun, Development Director for New Hope for Women.

Other news this week

Sunday Nov. 8, 2015, 10 am Worship

Church School Available. Rev. Nancy Duncan, preaching. Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 18: 20-39. In this contest between false prophets of Baal, and the true prophets of God, Elijah the prophet is vindicated for a time. Who are the false prophets of our day? What does it look like to choose to follow the authentic prophets of God? Sermon Preview: it's complicated. There are false prophets who purport to be Christian. There are true prophets who purport not to be Christian

Saturday, November 14, 9-2 pm: Set up is on Friday afternoon. Contact Ray and Cathy Anderson to help.

Día de Muertos

Thanks to Claire Riser, Carroll Smith and everyone who created the Day of the Dead Celebration. Worship is the work of the people and it took each of us to create a service where our joy and love and tears were brought to the living God. Read Nancy's reflections and see some photos at revnancyduncan.wordpress.com.

Stewardship Moments -- Finding God in Unexpected Places

Yesterday, I offered a blessing and took the stack of stewardship letters with pledge cards to the Post Office. I am so grateful for the love, creativity, courage and wisdom of the people of God who are gathered in this church. The Trustees invite everyone, whether you simply read this email, or have a key to the building to share in the support of this ministry by making a financial pledge for 2016. The ministries of the Broad Bay Church are transforming lives--not just the lives of the people who gather on Sunday morning but also those we don't even know--the people we encounter at work and in the community, the children who wait for the bus outside the church, those who stood in front of the memorial we placed after the shooting in Emanuel AME Church. Our money, our time, our prayers, and God's grace keep the ministry of the Broad Bay Church vibrant and relevant. Please make a pledge or send a check. You may also make a pledge, simply by emailing our treasurer, Evelyn Clowes.

Joan Chittister, in her book, The Ten Commandments considers the Commandments as Laws of the Heart. She challenges the reader to expand our understanding of these commandments in deep heartfelt ways. Come and join the conversation. FMI contact Dorothy.

Fierce and Fragile Women: Songs of Many Heroines

Friday, Oct 23: 7 pm Karen Pax, soloist and Mark Howard, pianist

The piano is tuned. The sanctuary is vacuumed. A display for New Hope for Women has been set up. All we are waiting for is for you and your friends to come to the Broad Bay Church tonight at 7 pm to enjoy the music of Purcell, Puccini, Debussy Fats Waller and more. Marilyn Andrews has a reception planned following the concert. No charge. Donations will be accepted to support New Hope for Women as they support fierce and fragile women and their families in our midst.

Other news this week

Sunday, October 25 10 am worship

Fierce and Fragile Women Continued: Stories of Biblical Heroines. Think Ruth, Deborah, the midwifes, Miriam, Syrophoenician woman, the woman with the hemorrhage, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, Mary Magdalene, Priscilla, Mary mother of Jesus... Jesus reached out to women who were both fierce and fragile and often they were the ones who told the story. Rev. Nancy Duncan, preaching. April Reed-Cox, cellist.

Women Touched by Grace Reunion

From April 2012--April 2014, Reverend Nancy Duncan participated in a program called Women Touched by Grace, a pastoral excellence program offered by Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana. The formal training, the collegiality and friendship between the 19 women clergy from around the country, and the influence of a Benedictine community of nuns strengthened and transformed Nancy's life and ministry. Nancy is returning for a reunion and additional workshops on prayer. She is presently reading Thoughts Matter by Sister Mary Margaret Funk, one of the presenters. It is challenging! She will be away from Monday Oct 26--Saturday, October 31. In case of a pastoral emergency contact Deacons, Claire Riser 832-2017 or Dorothy Petersen 563-3206. Pastor Karen Lilli Pax is available for pastoral emergencies at 319-6620.

November 1: All Saints Day/All Souls Day.

Day of the Dead--A New England Anglo Adaptation. In Mexico, families spend several days to a week creating small altars (a table top display) to remember love ones who have died. They gather pictures and symbols of things the deceased enjoyed--favorite foods, drinks, a golf ball, knitting needles, a book. to remember loved ones..." Favorite things can also include item (s) of clothing and work-related objects. Usually a glass of water is also placed on the altar. Flowers, candles (not lighted here), and crosses are also typical. They gather playful and serious reminders. Everyone of all ages is invited to create an altar to display during the service on Nov. 1. Both people and pets may be remembered in this way.

During the service, Claire Riser will tell stories of specific Mexican traditions which include sugar skulls, marigolds and picnics at the graveyard.

Carroll Smith will play good solid anglo traditional organ and funeral music.

Rev. Nancy Duncan will serve communion--a tradition that binds many of us to both ancestors and descendants. We will remember the living and the dead with prayer and in taking time to silently view the altars our friends have created.

Please contact Claire Riser (832-2017) to reserve a space for your altar. We hope to set up on Saturday, Oct 31.

Finding God in Unexpected Places: Notes from Nancy

God is not confined to the church. In the Bible, God shows up in the fields, at the mountain, in the bullrushes, at the well, on the Road to Emmaus, at the Cross and at the empty tomb. Where is God showing up in your life?

Church is where we tell the story. Church is where we hear one another's encounters with God. Church is where we share our questions and come together to worship and pray and laugh and cry.